Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants American pond weed

I have american pond weed and widgeon grass. The pond weed is growing in 4-5 feet of water and has spread over 75% of my 1 acre pond. Other than all the parts that stick up above the pond, it doesn't bothre me that much right now. Will be good for my fish to get established and survive until I want the predator fish to be able to eat them. Will the winter knock them down to where my grass carp can control them after winter? I would prefer the pond weed is gone after this year. I have 7 GC right now and they were anout 7 inches when I stocked them the first of May.

Hey Mike
Im no pro but in my situation it has gotten worse each year. When I got my pond 3 years ago there was barely any pondweed, each fall it has gone down some, then the follow spring come back twice as bad. Im in the Shenandoah valley in va so it does freeze over. I don’t know this but I think the previous owner put allot of chemicals in there to keep it clean, and im gonna give that a shot myself just to knock it down some. how many grass carp are you putting in? I will be interested to hear how you think there doing, im thinking about putting some in this fall for a long term solution. The guys ive talked to locally who supply grass carp recommend anywhere’s from 3 to 12 per acre,, but they are selling the fish

Guys around here recommend 10 per acre. I went with 7 to start with. I have a clear pond that has a maximum depth of 6 feet, so I assume I will have aquatic vegetation always trying to grow since sunlight can penetrate the entire pond bottom. I really don't want to use dye in my pond, I have never really been a fan of the look with dye. I don't mind some vegetation, but right now there is no way I can use a trolling motor. If I knew for sure the grass carp will eat the pondweed and get it under control, I would put in a few more. When they get big, I can always pull a few out (even though it would be hard to do).

ugh,,
too much caffeine + too much work + lack of sleep= asking questions already answered,,

I think I will put in 12, and pull some out once it’s well under control, I used to bowfish carp when I was a kid, im assuming you can get them out that way.

hey mike. i have 1 acre pond 2 and put in 7 carp as you did and three years later its worse than ever. i have chara and american pondweed. sucks cant even fish in the pond!! it cost 1000's of dollars to fix it(chemicals) and it will come back the next year unless you spend 1000's more with the pond guy mag. to aerate it and chemicals every other month. i gave up. plus i dont have time to mess with it all the time. good luck man i hope you can fix it.

mike, i realize every pond is different, but last year i had alot of APweed too. i've been really impressed that routine aeration this summer has kept that, FA, and elodea in pretty good check. last year prob. 60% of pond was covered with weeds, this year about only 20% of pond covered with weeds with no mechanical or chemical harvesting. i believe the major factor in my pond is that the aeration has reduced the clarity, promoted plankton bloom, and thus kept light from penetrating deep.

Grass carp have always worked great for me. About 4 years ago, I put 7 in a one acre pond that was absolutely infested with pondweed. Two whoppers remain and I now have some pweed but they seem to maintain it fairly well.